Fairy School Dropout

Fairy School #1

by Meredith Badger

Step away from the wand . . .

Elly Knottleweed-Eversprightly comes from a long line of famous fairies. But just because one of her ancestors wrote the historic Fairy Code doesn't mean Elly loves being a fairy. In fact, she hates it. She can't stand the itchy tutus, would rather ride her skateboard than fly the Fairy Flock, and messes up all of her magic spells. 

Plus, she's been kicked out of two fairy academies for turning her Synchronized Flying Instructor purple and catching a flyrus (it wasn't her fault!). 

Then Elly meets Jess, a human girl who helps Elly fix her malfunctioning wand. 

Elly never dreamed being friends with a human could make her life so much better. 

But can Jess help keep Elly from being kicked out of Fairy School—forever?

Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Childrens, Fairies, Magic, Fiction

157 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Meredith Badger is the author of Fairy School Dropout, Fairy School Dropout Undercover, and the first book of a new series, Tweenie Genie: Genie in Training. Originally from Australia, Meredith now lives in Germany with her family. She is also a writer for the Go Girl! series.

Reviews

[Amber J (Thereadingwitch) · Rating 4 out of 5]

We got this book at my daughter's school's book fair. It was a cute story and my daughter seemed to enjoy it. A cute take on fairies.

[Shannon McGee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elly, a young fairy who dislikes being a fairy. She feels out of place because she does not want to be the glitterized, girly fairy that they teach girl fairies to be. She inadvertently gets caught by a human, which is a big no no in the fairy world. A mistake that will change her outlook on life.

This series starts out pretty similar to most juvenile fairy stories. The difference in this one is that the main character, Elly, dislikes being a fairy. Most juvenile fairy stories the fairy loves being a fairy but is too awkward to perform fairy magic. With the difference in the story, it makes this story memorable and somewhat realistic.

I am not a fan of the book cover. It is okay but it does not grab me. Although I am not the demographic for the book so it really does not matter so much for the readers. I also do not remember much magic in the book. I always prefer more magic.

What the reader may get out of this book is not really whimsical magic feeling but more realistic tween girl issues with a little magic.

[Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very cute book but simplistic and almost babyish at times, not the story but the reading level and sentence structure. My 7-year-old was never bored but she did remark that it was for "really little kids." She did love the cover and the way the smaller book fit into her hands. I thought it was cute but agree that it was a rather young book and would be a great story for four and five-year-olds.

[Steffie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great read.

[Caitlin W. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a fun look into the world of fairies, and incorporates relate-able themes such as academic troubles and not fitting in. Ella is a fairy who can't seem to get things right-- her wand is broken and never fully charged, and she has an unfortunate habit of turning her teachers purple. All of her trouble-making is accidental, but she's been kicked out of two fairy schools and is not doing too well at her third. She doesn't like wearing fairy tutus, and isn't great at fairy magic, though she comes from a very distinguished family. She prefers skateboarding to other, more fairy-like forms of transportation. She doesn't want to be a fairy at all-- she sees them as slaves to humans, always flying around granting wishes. But then she accidentally reveals her true nature to her human neighbor, and an unlikely friendship is formed. She finds that helping people can be its own reward, and that you don't need fairy magic to make someone's wish come true. Whimsical depictions of magical fairy appliances are peppered throughout the book (Elly sees most of them as more of a hassle than a convenience), as well as entertaining diagrams of wands, fairy facts and rules, and Elly's family tree. The cover is eye-catching, with silver text and stars, and the text and illustrations inside are purple. Each short chapter has several illustrations, which are a little artistically messy, with lines extending beyond the boundaries of the figure. Many of the illustrations are somewhat repetitive. Stars and hearts are a motif. Recommended for grades 2-4.

[Karen Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so underrated and I honestly hope that more children get to read it. :) I read it during my childhood and still love it until now.

The story is about Elly or Elinora, a fairy who is contantly getting into trouble and messing up her spells, thus earning her name of "Fairy School Dropout". She has to promise to be on best behaviour while her final fairy school sets her on probation.

I think children will find Elly's rebelious, unconventional ways of doing things a nice twist on the stereotypical fairies who flutter around in fairy tales dressed in pink. Elly's skater chic style and her close friendship with a human girl who knows her secret definitely makes her different from other fairies. I especially liked how the author wrote Elly coming from a famous fairy family so she has the pressure of everyone's expectations on her back. But of course, the book in the end will teach children that it is okay to be yourself and go your own way. Her parents told Elly that she is a late bloomer and she discovers with a little help from her friends and a wake up call to work hard on her spellwork, she does indeed start to bloom. :)

This isn't the most excellent book in the series (the third book is the best) but it's overall a great start to the trilogy. The type is large and the ink is violet so it certainly has a very distinct look. Children will love the funky illustrations and the fairy inventions!

[Jennifer Wardrip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed by Kira M for TeensReadToo.com

Elly is a fairy who's been kicked out of two fairy academies and is close to being kicked out of her third.

She longs to go to a human school, but only really good fairies get to go to those. When the Head Fairy of her school threatens to expel her if she doesn't shape up in a week, Elly is faced with a choice: be a fairy and wear the itchy uniform, or disguise herself as a human.

When she meets a girl named Jess who has a knack for inventions but needs help with finishing her volcano science project in time to get it to school, Elly decides to help her out. Can she figure out a way to help both Jess and herself?

A quick, funny read for fairy lovers. The characters are amusing and fun to read about. The plot keeps moving and does a good job of holding the reader's interest. The illustrations are well-done and add a lot to the story and its humor. Readers who like fantasy, fairies, and realistic fiction with a mix of magic will enjoy reading FAIRY SCHOOL DROPOUT.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fairy School Dropout by Meredith Badger stars Elly who comes from a famous fairy family but doesn't like being a fairy, in fact she hates it. She doesn't like the tutu because it's itchy and doesn't like to fly because it's tiring. The book follows her through school and her adventures with a human friend.

My daughter loved this book. She wanted to read it all the time and loved how the story was written. She loved the characters and thought they were very entertaining. She liked the magical world and descriptions of the magical activities. There are pictures and the font is purple. She loved that Elly got better at being a fairy at the end.

Appropriateness: This book is a great book for girls (my daughter thinks that boys would not like it) and would work as a read aloud or a read to self. She recommends it for readers aged 5-10. The lexile is 750 putting it at a mid fourth grade reading level.

[Tami · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elly Knottleweed-Eversprightly is a fairy. You don’t believe in fairies? Of course, fairies exist. You might even live next door to a fairy family and not know it. In fact, with a little magic and their wings hidden away, fairies look pretty similar to humans.

Elly was unlike most fairies. She didn’t really want to be a fairy. She wasn’t very good with a wand. That didn’t bother her as she didn’t really want to give wishes to humans anyway.

Elly was trying her best to get kicked out of her third fairy school, when something strange happened. She met a human. Not only did she meet a human but she granted that human a wish. Moreover, Elly actually liked granting the wish. But is it too late for Elly to change her attitude?

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice little book, and a fun, original take on fairies. Cute illustrations liven up the text, which is clear and easy to read. (The author could improve her prose, however, by taking to heart Twain’s dictum on the word “very”.) Still, any girl with a yen for fairies should, as I did, gobble up this book.

[Alexandra Ratliff · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think that this book is really interesting and that if you have a little sister or a little brother that doesn't like school, you should read it to them so they know what it's like for someone else to not like their school. If they hear what it's like for someone to not like school, then what then they do. I think your little brother or sister would like school.

[Amy Holiday · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great concept and a cute story. Loved the technologically advanced fairy world, like Artemis Fowl but for younger kids. Elly tries hard even though she's not interested and feels a little insecure because she's not that good at being a fairy. I think a lot of kids would identify with Elly's situation, and I liked Jess's spunk.

Good book for younger MG readers, second-third grade.

[Jacqui Ainsworth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book on the high recommendation of my 8yo who rarely finishes books and even more rarely raves about them. She loved it and I "just HAD to read it!" It was an enjoyable very light read for a grown-up but to see my non-reader daughter devour this book was wonderful!

[Vivian]

I read this one with my granddaughter for a school book report project. Geared towards a mid 4th grade reading level, my 3rd grader breezed through it quickly. She thought that it was a fun read and really enjoyed it.

[Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so cute and such a fast read. I can't wait to read the next one.

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this as an ongoing aunt / niece book discussion "group" with my seven year old niece (her pick). Cute, and very imaginative. Young girls will really enjoy this series.

[Makayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

its funny i just keep on reading it over and over.

[Carrie Underwood · Rating 2 out of 5]

this book was so stupid it made me laugh

[Horace Mann Family Reading Challenge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kayla really knew magic. F B

[Talia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about Ellie who is a human/Undercover fairy

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny!

[Andrea Dorothy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written in a tedious passive tense.
Takes ages for the author to say one thing.
Dull dull dull dull.

[Inidya M.]

this is a book for people who like fairies

[Amber Giffen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute!

[Kelly Carey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute book that provides another point of view about fairies. Fairies are not always tiny pretty things. The ending leaves in open for further adventures and mishaps at the human school.

[Tiff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great for struggling readers! Whimsical, full of surprises, story about a not so typical fairy named Elly.

[Yuiko · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one alot any little girl will love this!!!

[Mehsi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a pretty cute read.

[Madeline Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book slaps. Read it when I was little and couldn’t put it down.

[Void · Rating 4 out of 5]

i loved the book. right when i was done i was like 'is there a second book?' 'it can't just end here.' 'WHERE'S THE NEXT BOOK!!!!'